Yom Kippur is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. It is also a day that has been tainted by shock and sadness, following the terrorist attack against members of the Jewish community in Manchester. This was an attack driven by antisemitic hatred, targeting people solely because they are Jews.

I understand the fear this attack has caused. Our Jewish community should not have to live like this; nobody should.

Read my statement in full here.

NEWS FROM CARDIFF EAST

PRIDE IN PLACE

Local people know their area better than anyone else. I recognise this and our UK Labour Government does too.

I’m extremely pleased that after much campaigning for funding to improve our city and our neighbourhoods, the UK Labour Government has announced £21.5 million pounds of funding for Cardiff through the Pride in Places Programme.

Cardiff is one of nine places in Wales to receive £20 million pounds from the Programme, plus another one and half million pounds from an additional fund.

This can be used to create new opportunities for our young people, invest in initiatives to keep our streets safe, and boost pride in our communities.

It will be up to all of us to decide how exactly the money should it be spent. So that means you!

I’ll share more information on how you can get involved soon. I hope you will give your views on how we can improve our neighbourhoods across Cardiff East.

Read more here.

CARDIFF PARKWAY

I recently joined Vaughan Gething MS, Nigel Roberts (Cardiff Parkway Developments Chairman), Andrew Roberts (Development Director), Adam Gordon (Investec), and Huw Thomas (Leader of Cardiff Council) for a productive meeting on the future of Cardiff Parkway.

Cardiff Parkway will deliver a new mainline station and business park in St Mellons, creating thousands of jobs and transforming connectivity in Cardiff East.

This is a huge opportunity for Cardiff East and I’ll continue working to ensure our communities benefit from the jobs, training and investment this brings.

MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING

Thank you to everyone who joined me at this year’s Macmillan Coffee Morning at the Royal British Legion in Llanrumney.

One in three of us will face cancer in our lifetime, and Macmillan’s superb nursing teams provide vital care and support to patients and their families across Cardiff East and beyond.

We raised over £300 to help Macmillan continue their life-changing work. I’m very grateful to everyone who came along and donated. I hope you enjoyed it and I look forward to seeing you again next year.

If you would like to, you can make a donation here.

SEIZURE OF ILLEGAL E-BIKES AND SCOOTERS

I’m really pleased that after me raising concerns with South Wales Police about illegal e-bikes and scooters speeding in Cardiff East and causing danger to residents, a joint operation between South Wales Police and Cardiff Council has led to the seizure of over 130 illegal e-bikes and scooters from Cardiff’s streets.

Some of the vehicles seized were able to reach speeds of over 80mph, with no working brakes, posing serious risks to public safety. The crackdown will continue into autumn, with targeted enforcement across Cardiff East.

Keeping our streets safe is a priority and I’ll continue working with both the Police and the Council to ensure action is taken where it’s needed most. Thanks to everyone who raised their concerns with me when I’ve been out with my team knocking on residents’ doors. Please continue to let me know if you have further concerns.

BRO EDERN’S INSPIRING WOMEN ENGINEERS

Gwen, Carys and Nia from Team Parabolica at Ysgol Bro Edern have travelled to Singapore this month to represent Wales at the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Racing HQ World Finals.

These brilliant young women have developed a miniature F1 car, showcasing their skills in engineering, design, and marketing on a global stage.

They brought home yet another piece of silverware, securing the FIA Women in Motorsport Award for 2025. I’m so impressed with what they have achieved, and they continue Ysgol Bro Edern’s hugely successful track record in this discipline.

Congratulations Gwen, Carys and Nia.

WELCOMING STUDENTS TO CARDIFF EAST

A warm welcome to all students beginning or continuing their studies in Cardiff East.

It’s always a highlight of the year to meet students at Cardiff University's freshers' fair. It was great to see strong interest in Cardiff University Labour Students, a brilliant way to get involved in the local community and make a difference.

Wishing all students all the best for a successful and enjoyable year ahead.

STARLING BANK SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND JOBS

Starling Bank’s Cardiff East office is now one of our city’s largest employers, with over 1,800 staff supporting its fast-growing digital banking operations.

I met with Ariane, Harriet and Joe from the senior management team at Starling’s HQ to see how they are investing in initiatives to support local employment and skills development.

From AI-powered banking tools to dedicated support for small businesses, Starling is a great Welsh example of how fintech is driving innovation, backing local enterprise and creating many new jobs here in Cardiff East.

ROATH REC GETS A SPRUCE UP

After a temporary reduction in pitches during the cycleway works, all four playing fields (three football and one rugby) at Roath Recreational Ground are now back in action.

Cardiff Labour Council has worked closely with local sports leagues and teams to make sure the facilities meet their needs.

Thanks to everyone who got in touch about this issue. It’s great to see the pitches reinstated just in time for the new season and so many residents using the new cycleway and pathway.

CARDIFF MUSIC CITY FESTIVAL

Cardiff is fast becoming a capital for global music.

Cardiff City Music Festival is back this October, bringing together local artists and international performers for two weeks of live gigs, pop-up shows, inspiring talks, and industry events.

With support from Cardiff Council, the programme will showcase the best music made in Wales and by Welsh artists around the world.

Read more here.

SECONDARY SCHOOL APPLICATIONS

Applications are now open for children starting secondary school in Cardiff in September 2026.

If your child is currently in Year 6, you’ll need to apply before the deadline on Monday 17 November 2025.

Using all five school preferences gives your child the best chance of getting a place at a school that suits them. Make sure to include any important information, such as siblings already at a school or any additional needs.

Parents can start their child’s application here.

WORLD LEADING BRAIN CANCER RESEARCH AT CARDIFF UNIVERSITY

Cardiff University has received £200,000 from the UK Labour Government’s Research and Innovation Fund to support its pioneering work on brain cancer research, particularly in the field of glioblastoma treatment.

I’m proud to see Cardiff University yet again recognised for its vital contribution to medical research. This investment will help researchers develop new treatments and improve outcomes for patients across Wales and beyond.

This is yet another example of how the UK Labour Government is unlocking Wales’s potential in the life sciences and advanced technologies sectors.

NEWS FROM PARLIAMENT

UK RECOGNISES THE STATE OF PALESTINE

In the face of the growing horror in the Middle East, the UK has formally taken the step to officially recognise the state of Palestine.

This historic decision, taken alongside some of our closest allies, reflects our unwavering commitment to a two-state solution and affirms the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. It delivers on our manifesto commitment.

Read my statement in full here.

SECURING £150 BILLION INVESTMENT FROM THE UNITED STATES

The UK has secured a record £150 billion in investment from US companies, supporting thousands of high-quality jobs and boosting key industries like clean energy, life sciences and advanced manufacturing here in Wales.

This is the largest commercial package ever announced during a state visit, showing the strength of the UK-US partnership.

Read more here.

REMOVAL OF FOREIGN CRIMINALS

The UK Labour Government is introducing new powers to return foreign national offenders to their home countries immediately after sentencing. This builds on recent reforms that allow earlier removal from prison, helping to ease overcrowding, cut costs, and keep communities safe.

Thousands of foreign offenders have already been removed since the election. These changes are part of our plan that is fixing the broken justice system, restoring border control and ensuring victims and the public are protected from dangerous individuals convicted of crime.

Read more here.

NEWS FROM UK LABOUR CONFERENCE

RENEWING BRITAIN

Keir Starmer delivered a powerful speech at Labour Conference, setting out his vision for Britain’s future. He spoke about the defining choices our country faces: renewal or decline, and decency or division.

We are choosing renewal.

That means improving living standards, reforming our public services, boosting the economy, putting money back into the pockets of working people and restoring pride in our communities.

The Prime Minister made it clear that this path won’t be easy. It requires serious decisions and the courage to reject the politics of grievance pushed by nationalists who want to tear our country apart.

Instead, Keir set out a vision of decency, tolerance and respect where everyone is seen, everyone is valued, and every community has the chance to thrive.

This UK Labour Government will deliver a decade of national renewal.

Watch Keir Starmer’s Speech in full here.

RENEWING WALES

One year ago, I became Labour’s first female Secretary of State for Wales in the first Labour Government in 14 years. In my first address to UK Labour Conference last year, I promised to put Wales at the centre of our decade of national renewal and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing.

We’ve delivered record investment in steel, rail, and clean energy. We’ve created tens of thousands of new jobs through Freeports, Investment Zones and support for advanced manufacturing. Real wages are rising, unemployment is falling, and inward investment in Wales has gone up 30% in the past year.

But these successes are all under threat.

I used my address this year to talk about the choice for Wales at next May’s Senedd Election: renewal or decline. A vote for nationalist parties, whether Plaid or Reform, will set back the progress we have achieved over the last 14 months, with two Labour Governments working in partnership to deliver for every corner of Wales.

Nationalist parties are not interested in solving challenges because they thrive on grievance and need it to continue as it’s the basis of their politics.

Instead of uniting our country, as the Prime Minister called for in his speech, all nationalists want to divide us.

We should be proud of our history and confident in our future as we embark on a decade of national renewal.

Watch my speech in full here.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY TO BE NATIONALISED

The UK Labour Government is delivering on our 2024 manifesto pledge to bring our railways back into public ownership. Whilst Wales already benefits from Transport for Wales, our own publicly owned rail operator, many cross-border services are still run by private companies like Great Western Railway and Avanti West Coast. That means that the companies keep the profits, but the taxpayer takes the hit on the liabilities. That’s about to change.

All passenger rail services are expected to return to public ownership by the end of 2027. By the middle of next year, more than 80% of passenger journeys will be under public control.

Our two Labour Governments are investing in a railway system that works for passengers, reversing years of decline and neglect. We’re building a network fit for the future, with public ownership at its heart.

Read more here.

ACTION ON COVID FRAUD

The Tories oversaw widespread Covid fraud, wasting billions through cronyism and the VIP lanes.

The UK Labour Government promised action to get this money back and we are delivering. At UK Labour Conference, the Chancellor announced a new fraud hit squad to recover money lost to pandemic-era waste and flawed contracts.

The unit will stop fraudulent Covid loan claimants from becoming company directors, pursue criminal investigations, and issue compensation orders.

We are already seeing results. PPE Medpro, a company linked to Tory peer Michelle Mone and fast-tracked through the Tory VIP lane, has been ordered to repay £122 million for supplying faulty PPE.

The money must go back to where it belongs; our schools, our NHS and across our public services.

EU YOUTH EXPERIENCE SCHEME

Labour is ambitious for our young people, so we’re taking action to deliver the opportunities they deserve.

We’re working to secure a new Youth Experience Scheme, giving young people the chance to travel, work, and learn across the EU.

Under the scheme, young people from the UK will be able to spend more than three months in EU countries, far longer than current limits allow. This means more time to explore, experience different cultures, and build language skills that will benefit them for life.

The UK Labour Government is committed to restoring our relationship with our EU partners and expanding horizons for the next generation.

FORCES’ FIRST HOMES

The Tories left Armed Forces housing in a terrible state, hammering morale and driving a recruitment and retention crisis in our Forces.

Labour is sorting out the mess, starting with a major renewal programme in our first year.

We’ve reversed a failed privatisation by buying back 36,000 military homes, saving taxpayers billions.

Our new ‘Forces First’ approach prioritises service families and veterans for high-quality housing and homeownership on Defence land. Backed by a new Consumer Charter and Defence Housing Strategy, Labour is showing forces families: we’re on your side.

Read more here.

REFORMING INDEFINITE LEAVE TO REMAIN

The last Tory Government eroded public trust in the immigration system.

This UK Labour Government committed to a fair and managed new system that can be trusted by the public.

The Home Secretary has announced new proposals on the residency requirement for indefinite leave to remain based on the value of contribution. There will be a consultation on the proposals, but you can read about them here.

NEWS FROM ACROSS WALES

TRAILBLAZER SCHEME SUCCESS

The new Trailblazer employment scheme is helping people across Blaenau Gwent into work by providing tailored support and guidance to those who need it most. Funded by the UK Labour Government, in partnership with Blaenau Gwent Council and the Welsh Labour Government, the scheme is making a real difference in people’s lives.

From confidence-building to skills development, Trailblazer is helping individuals overcome specific barriers and take the steps towards obtaining employment for the long term.

This approach is already producing good results for people in Blaenau Gwent, and I look forward to seeing further benefits as the scheme is rolled out to other communities in Wales.

Read more about the scheme here and watch Wales Football legend Neville Southall explain why it has been such a success here.

TATA TRANSITION BOARD DELIVERING FOR OUR STEEL COMMUNITIES

One year on from the UK Labour Government’s £500 million investment towards the building of an electric arc furnace at Tata Steel, I visited Port Talbot to see how our £80 million support for steelworkers and supply chain businesses is making a difference.

The funds have helped protect 5000 jobs, retrain and reskill workers helping them into new jobs, grow local businesses, start up new businesses and support regeneration of the town and local area.

We’ve also funded mental health support, because this transition is about people as much as it is about steel.

This UK Labour Government is investing in our steelworkers and our steel communities.

Read more here.

WOMENS INSTITUTE TURNS 110

This month marks 110 years since the first ever meeting of the Women’s Institute (WI), held in Llanfairpwllgwyngyll in September 1915.

Founded to support women during wartime, the WI has grown into the UK’s largest voluntary women’s organisation, empowering generations through education, community action, and campaigning.

I paid tribute to the WI and its members as they celebrated this important milestone. As we look to the future, I gave my thanks to the women who built the organisation and the thousands of women throughout the generations who have made it what it is today.

Watch my celebratory message here.

DEFENCE JOBS FOR WALES

Wales will benefit from a new Defence Growth Deal, part of a £250 million UK-wide investment to support jobs, businesses and research.

This deal will help Welsh companies and universities work together to develop cutting-edge technology for our Armed Forces and industry more generally, creating skilled jobs and boosting the Welsh economy.

Wales already leads in areas like drones and cyber security, and this investment will help us go even further.

Read more here or watch my video about how the growth deal is supporting our defence sector here.

PIONEERING CARBON CAPTURE PROJECTS TAKE A STEP FORWARD

Construction has started on two major carbon capture projects, bringing 500 skilled jobs to North Wales and the North West.

At Padeswood in Flintshire, the UK’s first carbon capture cement plant is being built, alongside a new waste-to-energy facility in Ellesmere Port. These projects will cut over 1 million tonnes of CO₂ every year and protect jobs in key industries.

Backed by £9.4 billion from the UK Labour Government, they’re part of our clean energy mission to make Britain a global leader in green technology. As someone who grew up in North East Wales, I am proud to see the region leading the way, creating good jobs, cutting carbon emissions, and building a cleaner, more secure future for working people.

Read more here.

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